Testing, when done correctly, is an important part of software development sinceit is a measure of the quality of a software in question. Most of the highly ratedsoftware projects therefore have test suites implemented that include unit tests,integration tests, and other types of tests. However, a challenge regarding the testsuite is that it needs to run each time new code changes are proposed. From thedeveloper’s perspective, it might not always be necessary to run the whole testsuite for small code changes. Previous studies have tried to tackle this probleme.g., by only running a subset of the test suite. This research investigates runningthe whole test suite of Java projects faster, by testing the Java Development Kits(JDKs) GraalVM Enterprise Edition (EE) and Community Edition (CE) againstOracle JDK and OpenJDK for Java 8 and 11. The research used the test suiteexecution time as a metric to compare the JDKs. Another metric that wasconsidered was the test suites number of test cases, used to try and find a breakingpoint for when GraalVM becomes beneficial. The tests were performed on twotest machines, where the first used 20 out of 48 tested projects and the secondused 11 out of 43 projects tested. When looking at the average of five runs,GraalVM EE 11 performed best in 11 out of 18 projects on the first test machine,compared to its closest competitor, and in 7 out of 11 projects on the second testmachine both for JDK 8 and 11. However GraalVM EE 8 did not give anybenefits to the first test machine compared to its competitors, which might indicatethat the hardware plays a vital role in the performance of GraalVM EE 8. Numberof test cases could not be used to determine a breaking point for when GraalVM isbeneficial, but it was observed that GraalVM did not show any benefits forprojects with an execution time of fewer than 39 seconds. It is observed thatGraalVM CE, does not perform well as compared to the other JDKs, and in allcases, its performance is not countable due to less non-satisfied and inefficientbehavior.

The results of neuropsychological tests are often used by clinicians to make important decisions regarding a demented patient's ability to competently and/or independently perform activities of daily living. However, the ecological validity of most neuropsychological instruments has yet to be adequately established. The current study examined the relationship between neuropsychological test performance and functional status in 42 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. A comprehensive battery of cognitive tests was employed in order to assess a wide range of neuropsychological abilities. Functional status was measured through the use of both a performance-based scale of activities of daily living (The Direct Assessment of Functional Status; Loewenstein et al., 1989) as well as by a caregiver/informant-based rating scale (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; Lawton & Brody, 1969). Findings suggest that neuropsychological functioning is moderately predictive of functional status. Memory performance was the best predictor of functional status in most ADL domains, followed by executive functioning and visuospatial abilities.

Introduction: Cognitive complaints are often reported by patients who also describe chronic pain. Reviews suggest chronic pain is likely to be associated with weaknesses, relative to control groups, in at least some cognitive functions including processing speed, attention, and possibly working memory, but differences between studies obscure the size of effects. Objective: This study provided a quantitative analysis of the magnitude of the association between chronic pain and neurocognitive test performances. Brief literature review is also done to focus on the functional brain changes associated with the chronic pain. Methods: Meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane, PRISMA guidelines. The analysis included published experimental design and the tests were studied at least 3 times, by different researchers, and the outcomes were combined within the same cognitive test. Tests were excluded when heterogeneity of variance exceeded I2 = 0.60. Pain subgroups were combined. Results: 23 studies met criteria and involved heterogeneous pain populations, or subgroups including back pain, whiplash, and fibromyalgia. Seven tests had sufficient variance homogeneity. Effects sizes (- ve = chronic pain relative weakness) were: Tests measuring the attention such as PASAT and TEA, working memory (WAIS- digit span), executive functions such as Stroop test, TMT showed significant weaker performance on the tests performance, whereas performance on the test of visuospatial abilities such as ROCF and Corsi block test and WCST test, did not showed significant association. Conclusions: Chronic pain was associated with statistically significant performance reductions. The pattern suggests that chronic pain is associated with poorer performance in at least some tasks requiring processing speed, attention, working memory and learning. Differences between pain and control groups ranged from about 1/3 standard deviation to just under a full standard deviation. Too little research is available on non-verbal memory and executive functions in chronic pain. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Integrated writing tasks that combine reading, listening, and writing have become increasingly popular in assessing academic writing. These tasks are seen to offer more authenticity, improve fairness, and provide positive washback effects of the test on learning and teaching of English around the globe. However, the integrated nature of these tasks can pose some issues, such as construct-related validity and verbatim source use. Given that the inferences made from test scores depend upon the construct of the measure, it is important to have a working knowledge of how strategies are used on integrated writing tests as part of the process of construct validation. This study investigates the relationship between second language writers’ strategy use and performance on an integrated reading-listening-writing test using structural equation modeling and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 161 non-native English-speaking students. The students first took an integrated reading-listening-writing test and followed by a strategy inventory on how they thought while completing the test. Twenty students, ten in the high-performance group and ten in the low-performance group, participated in a retrospective interview. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify the clusters of items based on three hypothetical factors: Rhetorical, Self-Regulatory, and Test-Wiseness Strategy Use. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then utilized to test the hypothetical relations between observed and latent variables. Subsequently, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to model the relationship between students’ self-reported strategy use and their test performance. The data collected from retrospective interviews, an open-ended questionnaire, and planning sheets were analyzed to triangulate quantitative results and provide supplementary information in interpreting the quantitative data. The study illuminates the nature of integrated writing strategy use, the nature of integrated writing performance, and the relationship between strategy use and performance on an integrated reading-listening-writing test. The results of the study have implications for second language writing assessment and instruction as well as theory in second language academic writing. / text

This dissertation mainly consists of three parts. The first part proposes generalized linear minimum mean-square error (GLMMSE) estimation for nonlinear point estimation. The second part proposes a recursive joint decision and estimation (RJDE) algorithm for joint decision and estimation (JDE). The third part analyzes the performance of sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) when the log-likelihood ratios (LLR) are independent but not identically distributed. The linear minimum mean-square error (LMMSE) estimation plays an important role in nonlinear estimation. It searches for the best estimator in the set of all estimators that are linear in the measurement. A GLMMSE estimation framework is proposed in this disser- tation. It employs a vector-valued measurement transform function (MTF) and finds the best estimator among all estimators that are linear in MTF. Several design guidelines for the MTF based on a numerical example were provided. A RJDE algorithm based on a generalized Bayes risk is proposed in this dissertation for dynamic JDE problems. It is computationally efficient for dynamic problems where data are made available sequentially. Further, since existing performance measures for estimation or decision are effective to evaluate JDE algorithms, a joint performance measure is proposed for JDE algorithms for dynamic problems. The RJDE algorithm is demonstrated by applications to joint tracking and classification as well as joint tracking and detection in target tracking. The characteristics and performance of SPRT are characterized by two important functions—operating characteristic (OC) and average sample number (ASN). These two functions have been studied extensively under the assumption of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) LLR, which is too stringent for many applications. This dissertation relaxes the requirement of identical distribution. Two inductive equations governing the OC and ASN are developed. Unfortunately, they have non-unique solutions in the general case. They do have unique solutions in two special cases: (a) the LLR sequence converges in distributions and (b) the LLR sequence has periodic distributions. Further, the analysis can be readily extended to evaluate the performance of the truncated SPRT and the cumulative sum test.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o impacto de oito semanas de um programa de treinamento de força sobre a estratégia de prova e o desempenho de corredores de longa distância durante uma prova contrarrelógio de 10 km. Antes e após a fase de intervenção com o programa de treinamento de força, dezoito corredores recreacionais divididos nos grupos treinamento (GT) (n = 9) e controle (GC) (n = 9) foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: a) antropometria e teste progressivo até a exaustão voluntária, b) teste com velocidade submáxima constante, c) simulação de uma prova de 10 km para análise da estratégia de prova, d) teste de drop jump, e) teste de wingate, f) teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e g) teste de tempo limite. A atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos vasto medial e bíceps femoral foi medida durante o teste de 1RM. No GT, a magnitude de melhora para o 1RM (23,0 ± 4,2%, P = 0,001), drop jump (12,7 ± 4,6%, P = 0,039), e velocidade de pico na esteira (2,9 ± 0,8%, P = 0,013) foi significativamente maior em relação ao GC. Este aumento do 1RM para o GT foi acompanhado por uma tendência a uma maior atividade eletromiográfica (P = 0,080). A magnitude de melhora no desempenho na prova de 10 km foi maior (2,5%) no GT que no GC (-0,7%, P = 0,039). O desempenho foi melhorado principalmente devido a velocidades mais elevadas durante as últimas sete voltas (últimos 2800 m) da prova de 10 km. No entanto, não houve diferenças significativas antes e após o período de treinamento para o padrão de estratégia de prova utilizada, consumo máximo de oxigênio, ponto de compensação respiratória, economia de corrida e desempenho anaeróbio para ambos os grupos (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, estes resultados sugerem que, embora um programa de treinamento de força não altere a estratégia de prova adotada, ele oferece um potente estímulo para combater a fadiga durante as últimas partes de uma corrida de 10 km, resultando em um melhor desempenho total / The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of an 8-week strength-training program on performance and pacing strategy adopted by runners during a self-paced endurance running. Eighteen endurance runners were allocated into either strength training group (STG, n = 9) or control group (CG, n = 9) and performed the following tests before and after the training period: a) anthropometric measures and maximal incremental treadmill test, b) running speed-constant test, c) 10-km running time trial, d) drop jump test, e) 30-s Wingate anaerobic test, f) maximum dynamic strength test (1RM), g) time to exhaustion test. Electromyographic activity of vastus medialis and biceps femoris was measured during 1RM test. In the STG, the magnitude of improvement for 1RM (23.0 ± 4.2%, P = 0.001), drop jump (12.7 ± 4.6%, P = 0.039), and peak treadmill speed (2.9 ± 0.8%, P = 0.013) was significantly higher compared to CG. This increase in the 1RM for STG was accompanied by a tendency to a higher electromyographic activity (P = 0.080). The magnitude of improvement for 10-km running performance was higher (2.5%) for STG than for CG (-0.7%, P = 0.039). Performance was improved mainly due higher speeds during the last seven laps (last 2800 m) of the 10-km running. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between before and after training period for pacing strategy, maximal oxygen uptake, respiratory compensation point, running economy, and anaerobic performance for both groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that, although a strength-training program does not alter the pacing strategy, it offers a potent stimulus to counteract fatigue during the last parts of a 10-km running, resulting in an improved overall running performance

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o impacto de oito semanas de um programa de treinamento de força sobre a estratégia de prova e o desempenho de corredores de longa distância durante uma prova contrarrelógio de 10 km. Antes e após a fase de intervenção com o programa de treinamento de força, dezoito corredores recreacionais divididos nos grupos treinamento (GT) (n = 9) e controle (GC) (n = 9) foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: a) antropometria e teste progressivo até a exaustão voluntária, b) teste com velocidade submáxima constante, c) simulação de uma prova de 10 km para análise da estratégia de prova, d) teste de drop jump, e) teste de wingate, f) teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e g) teste de tempo limite. A atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos vasto medial e bíceps femoral foi medida durante o teste de 1RM. No GT, a magnitude de melhora para o 1RM (23,0 ± 4,2%, P = 0,001), drop jump (12,7 ± 4,6%, P = 0,039), e velocidade de pico na esteira (2,9 ± 0,8%, P = 0,013) foi significativamente maior em relação ao GC. Este aumento do 1RM para o GT foi acompanhado por uma tendência a uma maior atividade eletromiográfica (P = 0,080). A magnitude de melhora no desempenho na prova de 10 km foi maior (2,5%) no GT que no GC (-0,7%, P = 0,039). O desempenho foi melhorado principalmente devido a velocidades mais elevadas durante as últimas sete voltas (últimos 2800 m) da prova de 10 km. No entanto, não houve diferenças significativas antes e após o período de treinamento para o padrão de estratégia de prova utilizada, consumo máximo de oxigênio, ponto de compensação respiratória, economia de corrida e desempenho anaeróbio para ambos os grupos (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, estes resultados sugerem que, embora um programa de treinamento de força não altere a estratégia de prova adotada, ele oferece um potente estímulo para combater a fadiga durante as últimas partes de uma corrida de 10 km, resultando em um melhor desempenho total / The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of an 8-week strength-training program on performance and pacing strategy adopted by runners during a self-paced endurance running. Eighteen endurance runners were allocated into either strength training group (STG, n = 9) or control group (CG, n = 9) and performed the following tests before and after the training period: a) anthropometric measures and maximal incremental treadmill test, b) running speed-constant test, c) 10-km running time trial, d) drop jump test, e) 30-s Wingate anaerobic test, f) maximum dynamic strength test (1RM), g) time to exhaustion test. Electromyographic activity of vastus medialis and biceps femoris was measured during 1RM test. In the STG, the magnitude of improvement for 1RM (23.0 ± 4.2%, P = 0.001), drop jump (12.7 ± 4.6%, P = 0.039), and peak treadmill speed (2.9 ± 0.8%, P = 0.013) was significantly higher compared to CG. This increase in the 1RM for STG was accompanied by a tendency to a higher electromyographic activity (P = 0.080). The magnitude of improvement for 10-km running performance was higher (2.5%) for STG than for CG (-0.7%, P = 0.039). Performance was improved mainly due higher speeds during the last seven laps (last 2800 m) of the 10-km running. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between before and after training period for pacing strategy, maximal oxygen uptake, respiratory compensation point, running economy, and anaerobic performance for both groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, these findings suggest that, although a strength-training program does not alter the pacing strategy, it offers a potent stimulus to counteract fatigue during the last parts of a 10-km running, resulting in an improved overall running performance

This study examined motivation, anxiety, global awareness, and linguistic confidence, and their relation to language test performance within the context of Chinese university students taking the College English Test Band 4(CET-4) in China. Using a mixed methods approach, through survey and interview inquiries, this study explored whether and how the selected psychological factors contributed to students’ CET performance. Results from exploratory factor analysis revealed that Chinese university students displayed three types of instrumental motivation (i.e., mark orientation, further-education orientation, and job orientation), two types of anxiety (i.e., language anxiety and test anxiety), and two types of confidence (i.e., linguistic confidence and test confidence). The results of confirmatory factor analysis led to a modified socio-educational model of motivation with some context-specific concepts (i.e., new instrumental orientations, global awareness, and linguistic confidence) that more accurately represented the characteristics of the Chinese university students. The results of structural equation modelling confirmed that attitude toward the learning situation and integrative orientation were two strong indicators of motivation, which in turn influenced language achievement and confidence. The negative impact of anxiety on language achievement was confirmed. Certain group differences were found in comparing male students with female students, high achievers with low achievers, students from the Arts programs with those from the Science programs, and students who started to learn English before Grade 7 with those iii who did so after Grade 7. The interview findings indicated stronger instrumental orientations than integrative orientations. External influences, including influences from society, teachers, and peers, were also identified. Students expressed their mixed feelings toward the CET-4, indicating that this test had both positive and negative influences in promoting their English learning. Testing well-developed motivation and anxiety models in the Chinese context enriched and expanded our knowledge in theory development in English language education in China. The implications of this study point to the importance of understanding language test-takers’ characteristics in their macro and micro learning contexts, as well as the importance of establishing the relevance of English language learning to language teaching, and testing in English as Foreign Language contexts. / Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2009-12-30 22:08:41.138

This paper deals with possibilities and functions of modern graphic accelerators and with measuring performance under OpenGL interface. Widespread algorithms to render scene in real-time are used. It focuses on how to test every part of accelerator's graphic pipeline as well as measure performance in rendering of advanced effects and theoretical speed at general purpose calculations through graphic processor. This testing is realized by implementing multiple test series and their further evaluation. Final application enables setting of test parameters and outputs a score, by which is possible to judge accelerator's performance in comparison among themselves.

Multi-tenancy in relational databases has been a topic of interest for a couple of years. On the one hand, ever increasing capabilities and capacities of modern hardware easily allow for multiple database applications to share one system. On the other hand, cloud computing leads to outsourcing of many applications to service architectures, which in turn leads to offerings for relational databases in the cloud, as well. The ability to benchmark multi-tenancy database systems (MT-DBMSs) is imperative to evaluate and compare systems and helps to reveal otherwise unnoticed shortcomings. With several tenants sharing a MT-DBMS, a benchmark is considerably different compared to classic database benchmarks and calls for new benchmarking methods and performance metrics. Unfortunately, there is no single, well-accepted multi-tenancy benchmark for MT-DBMSs available and few efforts have been made regarding the methodology and general tooling of the process. We propose a method to benchmark MT-DBMSs and provide a framework for building such benchmarks. To support the cumbersome process of defining and generating tenants, loading and querying their data, and analyzing the results we propose and provide MULTE, an open-source framework that helps with all these steps.